Pseudo-Eldritch God in Gensokyo

After saving the town from the Gargoyle attack, Kiru, Sakuya, Flandre, and Rumia followed a lead about where the monsters had come from. The journey took them across vast stretches of rolling fields, dense forests, and charming villages. Along the way, they encountered the occasional weak monster, which provided some mild entertainment for Flandre and Rumia but posed no real threat to the group.

As the sun hung high in the sky, the party decided to rest near a serene riverside. Flandre and Rumia had grown restless during the journey and were now trying to nibble on Kiru's arms, much to his chagrin.

"C'mon, guys, again with the snacking on me?" Kiru grumbled, gently nudging them away.

Flandre giggled mischievously. "But you taste so sweet~! Just a little blood?"

Rumia chimed in, playfully licking her lips. "You're like the perfect snack, Kiru. Can't waste this opportunity."

With a sigh, Kiru handed them each some prepared food he had made earlier with Shaper, which thankfully distracted them. Flandre quickly took to her blood-infused treat with gleaming eyes, while Rumia tore into a hefty burger patty. As the two chatted excitedly about the taste, Kiru found a quiet moment to sit down next to Sakuya, who had been calmly sipping tea she had brewed using some water from the river, boiling that and then some ingredients she brought with her.

He glanced over at her and decided now was as good a time as any to satisfy his curiosity.

"So... Sakuya," he began, "mind if I ask you something personal? I've been curious about you."

Sakuya turned her gaze toward him, her expression composed. "I don't mind, provided it's not too intrusive. What is it?"

"How did you end up working for Remilia? I mean, I know you're human—or at least you were once—so what made you decide to serve a vampire?"

Sakuya's serene expression shifted slightly as a hint of nostalgia crossed her features. She took a moment to consider her words before responding.

"Well... it's not exactly a story I tell often, but I suppose I can share it. You see, I was originally a vampire hunter."

Kiru's eyes widened in surprise. "You? A vampire hunter? That's... wow. Honestly, that's pretty amazing. So how does a hunter go from trying to slay vampires to becoming a maid for one?"

Sakuya gave a small, almost wistful smile as she gazed out at the flowing river.

"To put it simply, Mistress Remilia was one of my targets. At the time, I had already dealt with several other vampires, and I believed she would be no different. However, she proved to be... extraordinary. Our battle was fierce, unlike anything I had experienced before, for the time at least. It ended in a stalemate—or so I thought. Unfortunately, while I was left wounded and exhausted, she was able to heal herself with her vampiric abilities."

Kiru leaned forward, captivated. "And she just let you go?"

Sakuya shook her head. "Not quite. She could have killed me then and there, and frankly, I was prepared for it. But instead, she made me an offer. She said she was impressed by my skill and tenacity and offered to spare my life if I would serve her as her maid."

Kiru frowned. "That... sounds rough. Did you hate it? Being forced into servitude like that?"

"At first, yes," Sakuya admitted. "I resented her. But as time passed, I came to see another side of her. Mistress Remilia often puts on a fearsome front, but beneath it, she is compassionate in her own way. She treats her servants with respect and values loyalty. Over time, I found myself growing fond of her and even the other residents of the mansion. Now... I don't regret my decision. In fact, I'm proud to serve her."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the sound of the river and Flandre's giggles as she teased Rumia over her messy eating. After a moment, Sakuya turned the conversation back to Kiru.

"What about you?" she asked, her voice curious. "How did you end up in Gensokyo? From what I've seen, you're no ordinary human either."

Kiru gave a sheepish smile. "Well, the truth is, I'm not entirely sure myself. I was just an average geeky human back in my world—no powers, no exciting life. Then one day, I discovered I had these two abilities, and everything changed. Maybe something gave them to me, but I think they were always a part of me, but I don't know how or why. When I used Kaleidoscope for the first time, I accidentally ended up here."

"And yet, you've chosen to stay," Sakuya observed. "Why? With your abilities, you could go live anywhere."

Kiru looked thoughtful as he stared at the rippling water.

"It's hard to explain, but... let's just say I already knew about Gensokyo before I came here. I've always admired this place. The people, the culture, the magic—it feels nostalgic in a way, like I'm meant to be here, at least for now. Plus... well, there are people here I want to get to know better."

He glanced at her with a soft smile. "I guess I just want to make friends, have some fun, and create memories worth holding onto. Maybe cause a little harmless mischief on the side."

Sakuya nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "I see... Did you know about me before you arrived?"

"Oh, absolutely!" Kiru said with a grin. "You were one of my favorites! The elegant and badass maid with time-manipulating powers? Who wouldn't be excited to meet you?"

Sakuya raised an eyebrow. "And now that you have met me? Am I what you expected?"

Kiru's smile widened. "More than I expected. You're amazing, Sakuya. And back when we fought at the mansion... I couldn't help but admire how graceful and precise your attacks were, the way your body moved."

A faint blush crept onto Sakuya's cheeks as she turned her gaze away. "You shouldn't be so shameless, Kiru."

"But I didn't even do anything!" he protested.

Sakuya sighed, but there was the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. 

The journey continued as the group ventured deeper into the wildlands, eventually finding themselves in the mouth of a dimly lit cave. The air inside was damp, the walls slick with condensation. The faint sound of dripping water echoed off the cavernous stone as they cautiously made their way through the winding passageways.

"Do caves always have to be this creepy?" Kiru muttered, a glowing lure of bioluminescent light coming from his head that he had created with Shaper to light their way.

"It's not creepy, it's atmospheric," Flandre said cheerfully, twirling in place as her eyes gleamed in the dim light. "There could be all sorts of fun monsters in here!"

"I hope whatever's in here doesn't delay us too much," Sakuya commented, her tone measured. Her keen eyes scanned the shadows for any sign of danger. She had one hand on some throwing knifes, ready to act at a moment's notice.

Suddenly, a low, guttural growl rumbled through the cavern, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. From the depths of the shadows emerged a massive creature—part bear, part owl, with gleaming yellow eyes that glowed like lanterns. The beast's sharp beak snapped threateningly, and its powerful claws dug into the ground as it roared a challenge.

"Whoa, an Owlbear!" Kiru exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Now that's a classic D&D monster!"

"This isn't the time to start with that, Kiru!" Sakuya snapped, already flicking a knife toward the beast. Her blade spun through the air and embedded itself into the Owlbear's shoulder, but the creature barely flinched as it let out another furious roar.

Rumia, munching on a piece of jerky, casually tossed a shadowy blast at the beast, which only seemed to anger it further. "Oops. Did I make it mad?"

Kiru took aim and fired off bullets from his pistols, striking the creature in its thick hide. The impacts caused it to stagger, but it kept charging forward. Meanwhile, Sakuya moved with her trademark grace, darting around the battlefield and launching an array of knives with deadly precision. Each strike hit a vital point, forcing the Owlbear to falter in its movements.

The beast lunged at Sakuya with a swipe of its massive claws, but the maid gracefully sidestepped, her movements like a dance. She retaliated with a perfectly timed flurry of knives, each one hitting its mark. Kiru's eyes followed her intently, admiration written all over his face as he fired his pistols more keeping the beast's attention divided.

Finally, with one last shot from Kiru aimed directly at the Owlbear's head and a precise knife from Sakuya piercing its heart, the creature let out a final bellow before collapsing to the cave floor. The battle was over.

As they caught their breath briefly, Flandre floated over to Kiru and tilted her head curiously. "Hey, Kiru?"

"Yeah?" he replied, holstering his pistols.

"I noticed the way you were looking at Sakuya while she was fighting," Flandre said, her voice as innocent as ever. "Are you gonna make her your girlfriend?"

The cave went dead silent.

Kiru's face turned crimson as he sputtered incoherently. "W-What? Where did that come from?!"

Sakuya crossed her arms and looked away, her cheeks faintly pink. "Young Mistress, that's a highly inappropriate question!"

"But it's a good question!" Flandre said, her childlike honesty cutting through the tension. "You like her, don't you, Kiru? And she's really cool and pretty, so I think you'd make a cute couple!"

"Flandre!" Kiru groaned, covering his face with his hands. "That's... I mean, I wasn't—You can't just say stuff like that out of nowhere!"

Sakuya cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure, though her blush remained. "Young Mistress, we should focus on our mission. This conversation is entirely unnecessary."

Flandre giggled, clearly enjoying how flustered both of them were. Meanwhile, Rumia simply continued snacking, watching the exchange like it was entertainment.

As the group resumed their journey through the cave, both Kiru and Sakuya couldn't shake the conversation from their minds.

Kiru found himself stealing glances at Sakuya as they walked, the idea slowly settling in his thoughts. Would I date her? I mean... she's amazing. Beautiful, graceful, deadly... But I don't even know if she'd ever see me that way. Besides, we only recently met and this is probably just Flan being Flan... right?

On the other side of the group, Sakuya was equally preoccupied. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous... And yet... She stole a subtle glance at Kiru, her mind replaying his earlier words. She quickly pushed the thought away, shaking her head. I have no time for such distractions.

Before long, the cave opened up to a sprawling valley, and in the distance, an abandoned castle loomed against the skyline. Its crumbling towers and darkened windows gave it an ominous appearance, as if it had been forgotten by time itself.

"There it is," Kiru said, his voice breaking the silence. "The abandoned castle. Looks like we're finally here."

[TIMESKIP]

The group fought through waves of gargoyles and undead minions until they finally arrived at the massive, decayed doors of the castle's throne room. Pushing them open with a groan, the group stepped into the vast chamber, the air thick with an oppressive aura. A tall figure sat lazily on a jagged throne at the far end of the room. He was clad in crimson armor, accented by black bands along his arms that pulsed with eerie energy.

Kiru stepped forward, his tone firm but casual. "So, you must be the Dark Lord of this castle. Nice setup you've got here—real gothic chic."

The Dark Lord rose from his throne, his movements deliberate. His glowing red eyes locked onto Kiru, and he cracked his neck audibly. "I was wondering when you'd show up. Let me guess—another band of so-called heroes come to end the big, bad Dark Lord. Original."

Flandre stepped forward, tilting her head. "I've got a question. Why are you doing all this? What's the point of sending gargoyles and all those creepy undead?"

The Dark Lord smirked. "I'll indulge in your curiosity's kid." He leaned casually against the arm of his throne, addressing the group. "You see, I've already been killed once—brutally, might I add. But fate, or something worse, decided to reincarnate me in this world. I am a conqueror by nature. Destruction is my art. These undead and gargoyles?" He gestured dismissively. "They're... tools. Far beneath my standards, but sufficient for this second life."

Something about the Dark Lord's aura, his voice, felt familiar to Kiru, though he couldn't quite place why.

The Dark Lord's smirk widened as he studied the group. "You're not from this world either, are you? Interesting... It doesn't matter, though. I won't be stopped—not in this second life. Especially not without the Chosen One, or that orange freak of nature."

Before anyone could respond, the Dark Lord extended a hand, conjuring orbs of searing flame that he hurled at the group. They scattered, dodging as the fireballs scorched the stone floor.

Rumia countered first, launching blasts of shadows at him, but the Dark Lord deflected them effortlessly. With a sudden burst of speed, he formed a blade of black and red energy around his hand and lunged at her.

Kiru darted in front of Rumia, activating his Kryptonian template to block the blow. The energy blade struck his arm, and though the blade didn't fully pierce him, Kiru winced as it cut into his flesh. He retaliated with a blast of super breath, sending the Dark Lord skidding backward.

"Interesting," Kiru muttered, examining his wound as he teared off the flesh and regenerated it. "Your energy blade cuts through Kryptonian invulnerability. That's... inconvenient."

The Dark Lord laughed darkly. "What's the matter? Afraid I might be too much for you?"

Flandre's patience snapped. With a wild grin, she summoned her own magic sword, charging at him with unrestrained excitement. "My turn! Let's see if you can handle me!"

The two clashed in a dazzling display of energy blades, their strikes sending shockwaves through the throne room. The Dark Lord parried her relentless blows, his movements precise and calculated. As they fought, red spears of energy formed behind Flandre, poised to impale her.

Before they could strike, Sakuya intervened, freezing time and whisking Flandre out of harm's way. In the resumed timeline, dozens of Sakuya's knives rained down on the Dark Lord, piercing his armor. He staggered but didn't fall, his glowing eyes narrowing as he turned his attention to her.

The Dark Lord waited until he saw her vanish and before Sakuya could act, the Dark Lord blurred with inhuman speed, closing the distance and grabbing her wrist just as her next time stop ended. His energy blade raised to strike.

Kiru's heat vision slammed into him, sending the Dark Lord flying through the wall. Flandre floated over to Kiru and frowned. "Why does his energy feel... like mine?"

Sakuya adjusted her gloves. "Perhaps he has a similar power to your destructive capabilities, Mistress."

The Dark Lord stood, brushing rubble from his shoulders. His grin never faltered.

Kiru turned to the group. "Girls, sit this one out. I'll handle him."

"What?! No way!" Flandre protested, puffing her cheeks. "I wanna fight!"

"Flan, please," Kiru said, his voice softening. "I have a bad feeling about this guy. Just let me deal with him. I'll make it up to you later, promise."

Sakuya placed a calming hand on Flandre's shoulder. "We should trust him on this, Young Mistress." Reluctantly, Flandre crossed her arms and floated back.

The Dark Lord's smirk widened. "You're brave—or foolish. You remind me of someone... That speed, that strength, those laser eyes. Tell me, are you a reincarnated Chosen One?"

Kiru scoffed, stepping forward. "Sorry to disappoint. I'm not that guy. But I do know who you are. And I know how dangerous you can be."

Without warning, the two clashed, their blows creating shockwaves that rattled the castle. Their fight carried them into the sky, the moonlight illuminating their battle.

Kiru unleashed his heat vision in a continuous beam, but the Dark Lord blocked it with his energy blade. In response, the Dark Lord fired his red spears, which Kiru dodged nimbly before retaliating with a blast of freeze breath.

Breaking free of the ice with ease, the Dark Lord laughed. "Is that all you've got?"

"Not even close," Kiru replied. His eyes gleamed as he gave himself Storm's X-Gene. The sky darkened as storm clouds gathered, and lightning streaked across the heavens. Bolts of lightning rained down from the storm, crackling with raw power as they targeted the Dark Lord. 

The Dark Lord grunted as lightning rained down on him, the sheer force of the blasts slamming him into the side of a distant mountain. The rocks shattered under the impact, sending debris cascading down in an avalanche. But it wasn't over yet.

Emerging from the rubble, the Dark Lord launched himself at Kiru with a speed that seemed to rip through the very air. He raised a hammer fist, slamming it down on Kiru with enough force to send him plummeting through the air like a meteor.

Kiru recovered quickly, flipping mid-air before charging back. The two clashed again, their blows creating shockwaves that echoed across the sky. Each strike was like the meeting of gods—powerful, destructive, and unrelenting.

The Dark Lord summoned his black-and-red energy blade again, the weapon crackling with malevolent energy. Kiru smirked, equipping Psylocke's X-Gene. A brilliant purple psychic blade shimmered into existence around his fist, his blade glowing fiercely as he parried the Dark Lord's strike.

The two engaged in a fierce duel, blades clashing with a deafening hum of power. Sparks of energy flew as their weapons collided, illuminating the night sky in flashes of red and violet. The Dark Lord's technique was sharp, refined, and merciless, pushing Kiru back step by step.

"You have strength," the Dark Lord sneered, pressing his advantage. "But power without skill is wasted potential."

Gritting his teeth, Kiru glanced at the storm still raging overhead. He extended his hand, summoning the winds to his command. A massive tornado began to form, roaring as it tore across the landscape, pulling the Dark Lord into its swirling chaos. Lightning rained down again, striking the Dark Lord repeatedly as he was caught within the maelstrom.

Kiru didn't waste the opportunity. He moved at supersonic speed, breaking the sound barrier with a thunderous crack as he rushed the vortex. His psychic blade found its mark, stabbing the Dark Lord through the side. The Dark Lord let out a howl of pain, only for Kiru to unleash a full-power blast of heat vision, sending him hurtling into the ground below.

The impact created a massive crater, cracks spidering out across the earth.

The Dark Lord recovered quickly, standing amidst the rubble with a feral look. He extended his hands, unleashing a barrage of fireballs and glowing red energy spears that lit up the sky like a deadly fireworks display.

Kiru countered with a gale of super breath, redirecting the projectiles back toward the Dark Lord. Though he dodged most of them, Kiru closed the distance, delivering a brutal punch to the Dark Lord's gut. The force of the blow made the Dark Lord double over, spitting blood from his mouth.

But he wasn't finished yet. With a savage snarl, the Dark Lord drove his energy blade straight into Kiru's gut.

Kiru gasped, feeling the blade pierce his flesh, and staggered back. Blood seeped from the wound, glowing faintly under the corrupted energy's influence.

"You're persistent," Kiru grunted. He gripped the Dark Lord's arm and drove his head forward in a devastating headbutt, sending the Dark Lord crashing through a line of trees.

Kiru glanced at his wound. The corrupted energy trying to erase him entirely. He tore the injured flesh away, grimacing as his body regenerated the damaged area. 

The Dark Lord rose once more, his aura blazing as he hovered above the battlefield. His voice boomed like a thunderclap. "This ends now!" He charged at Kiru, his blade raised for a decisive strike.

Kiru smirked. "You know what? You're right. This ends now."

With a flicker, Kiru disappeared, teleporting using his Kaleidoscope ability. The Dark Lord's blade struck only empty air.

"Wha—?!" the Dark Lord growled, spinning around. Suddenly, his body locked up. His limbs trembled as if weighed down by unseen chains, and his knees buckled, forcing him to the ground. Rain began to fall, drenching the battlefield as the storm got lighter.

The Dark Lord struggled to lift his head. "W-What is this?! What have you done to me?"

Kiru approached slowly, kneeling down just a few feet away. "Your new body—it's organic, isn't it? That means I can control it with one of my abilities. I was going to paralyze you completely, but you're still able to resist. Impressive. You really don't know when to give up."

The Dark Lord's hands trembled, barely holding him up. His glowing eyes burned with defiance.

Kiru sighed and with a clap of his hands, he used Kaleidoscope to teleport Flandre, Rumia, and Sakuya to his side, Flandre holding an umbrella that Sakuya handed her.

Kiru looked at Flandre with a small smile. "Flan, I know you wanted to fight him, and I'm sorry you didn't get the chance. But how would you like to finish this instead?"

Flandre's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?! Yay! Thank you, Kiru!"

She gave him a quick hug before stepping forward, her grin widening as she focused on the Dark Lord.

The Dark Lord felt his heart pound erratically as Flandre raised her hand, her palm glowing with a terrifying energy. "What... what are you doing?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with fear.

Flandre giggled, tilting her head. "Everything has an 'eye,' you know. And when I crush the eye... everything goes boom!"

Her fingers curled into a fist, and the Dark Lord screamed as his body was enveloped by Flandre's destructive energy.

"Bye-bye!" Flandre chirped cheerfully as she clenched her fist tighter.

The Dark Lord's form distorted, his screams fading into nothingness as his body dissolved into nothing, finally erased from existence. The storm quieted, leaving only the sound of raindrops hitting the ground.

Flandre turned back to the group, beaming. "That was fun! Can we do it again?"

Kiru chuckled, mentally a bit tired. "Maybe next time, Flan. Maybe next time."

Kiru then looks at the sport the Dark Lord use to be in. "...I wonder how he ended up being reborn in this world of all places?" 

[TIMESKIP]

The group made their triumphant return to the village, greeted by cheers and applause from the townsfolk who had learned of their victory over the Dark Lord. The streets were alive with celebration—bright lanterns hung from strings above, tables were laden with food, and music filled the air. Children ran about, their laughter echoing through the night, while villagers raised their cups in toast to the heroes.

Kiru, Flandre, Rumia, and Sakuya were immediately surrounded by grateful villagers offering thanks. Some approached with gifts, others simply shouted their appreciation from a distance. The group soaked in the warmth of the celebration, each in their own way.

As the festivities continued, Kiru couldn't resist indulging in a bit of the limelight. Standing atop a makeshift stage with a grin, he used Kaleidoscope to pluck a guitar from somewhere random as he began to play a little, his voice carrying over the crowd as he sings a tune he heard in a movie once:

"Who is your favorite fearless hero?

Who is your favorite fearless herooooo?!"

The crowd cheers and sings along after some verses. 

"Who's brave and ready for trouble? (You are, you are!)

Who's so unbelievably humble? (You are, you are!)"

Kiru dances around as he gets into the performance and cheers. 

"Who is your favorite fearless hero?

Who is your favorite fearless herroooo?!"

The crowd clapped and cheered along with his playful performance, laughing at his exaggerated moves and displayed charisma. A group of women near the front giggled, exchanging flirty glances with each other before looking back at Kiru, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Standing near the edge of the crowd, Sakuya watched this unfold. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she noticed the way those women looked at Kiru, their expressions filled with more than just casual admiration. She didn't understand why, but it made her chest tighten, a small flame of irritation flickering inside her.

She tried to brush it off. Why do I care? He's just... someone I'm traveling with, he's helping the Young Mistress have some fun. That's all. But the thought of Kiru entertaining their attention, of him responding to it, made her jaw tighten.

When Kiru was finishing his little song and took a playful bow, the cheering grew louder. A few women began to approach the stage, clearly intent on getting closer to him. Sakuya's eyes flashed as her decision crystallized.

In the blink of an eye—and with no one the wiser—Sakuya activated her time-stopping ability. The lively sounds of the party fell silent, the villagers frozen mid-cheer. Without hesitation, she grabbed Kiru by the arm and moved him to an upstairs room in the inn. She also brought Flandre and Rumia, placing them in a cozy room next door, where they soon began flipping through a book Sakuya had quietly retrieved for them earlier.

Kiru blinked, realizing he was no longer on stage. "Huh? What—? Sakuya? Where are we?"

Sakuya stood by the door, her usual composed expression firmly in place. "We're in the inn. I thought it best for us to retreat early. The crowd was getting... overzealous."

Kiru tilted his head, his brow furrowing. "Overzealous? They were just excited. What's the rush to leave?"

Sakuya crossed her arms, avoiding his gaze. "You don't want to be overwhelmed by strangers, do you? You've done enough tonight, and rest is important."

Her voice was calm, but Kiru could sense something unusual in her tone. "Okay... but why not let me decide that for myself?" he asked, his lips quirking into a teasing grin. "Wait a minute... you're not jealous, are you?"

Sakuya stiffened, her composure cracking for just a second before she shot him a sharp look. "Don't flatter yourself," she said quickly, though her voice carried a slight edge of defensiveness. "I was simply doing my duty, it was time for the Young Mistress to get away from so many people anyways and rest. Nothing more."

Kiru took a step closer. "Sure, sure. Because dragging me out of a celebration with your time powers is just normal maid stuff, right?"

Sakuya's cheeks flushed faintly, but she maintained her dignified stance. "I didn't drag you. I escorted you."

Kiru chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, fair enough. But next time, maybe let me enjoy the party a little longer?" He then added with a cheeky smile, "Unless, of course, you were trying to save me from the admirers down there. Those looks they were giving me were something else, huh?"

Sakuya kept her voice steady. "Perhaps I simply wished to spare the village women the disappointment of wasting their attention on someone so hopelessly full of himself."

Kiru laughed at that, raising his hands in surrender as he walked over to the bed. 

Sakuya turned away, her heartbeat quickening as she pressed a hand to her chest. Why am I acting like this? she thought, annoyed at her own reaction. She couldn't deny it, though—seeing those women fawn over Kiru had stirred something in her she didn't entirely understand.

Meanwhile, Kiru sat down on the bed, watching her with a thoughtful expression. He wasn't oblivious; he could tell there was more to her behavior than she was letting on. Still, he decided not to press the issue—for now.

A moment of silence hung between them before Sakuya finally spoke, her tone softer this time. "Get some rest, Kiru. Tomorrow, we'll have more to do."

Kiru nodded, giving her a small smile. "Thanks, Sakuya. For everything... it's fun been getting to hang out with you."

She turned to leave but hesitated briefly at the door. "...Goodnight," she said quietly before stepping out and closing it behind her.

In the room next door, Flandre giggled as she flipped through the book with Rumia. "Sakuya sure is starting to act funny around Kiru, isn't she?"

Rumia tilted her head, munching on a snack. "Yeah... maybe she really does like him or something?"

Flandre's grin widened. "Oooh, that would be fun! I wonder what my sister would think of that?"

Unaware of the girls' whispered speculation, Sakuya leaned against the wall outside Kiru's room in the hallway, letting out a quiet sigh. She wasn't sure what she was feeling involving someone she still only recently met... but she couldn't stop thinking about it.

The Next Morning... 

Sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of the room as Kiru stirred awake. Stretching lazily, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his eyes falling on a faint glimmer atop the bedside table—a black band he had taken from the Dark Lord during their battle, before Flandre had deleted him.

Picking it up, Kiru held the band up to the light, turning it between his fingers. The material felt otherworldly, faintly humming with residual energy. Its surface seemed to shift slightly, as if it were alive, or at least enchanted with a power not fully dormant.

"This thing..." Kiru murmured, his thumb brushing over the smooth black surface. The Dark Lord had been formidable, and if this band was tied to his power, or at least what he displayed, it could be an invaluable tool. 

He sighed, tucking it into his pocket. "I'll figure it out later. For now... to the victor go the spoils."

As he stood and stretched, his eyes caught something unexpected—a plate of food sitting neatly on the small table across the room. He blinked in surprise and walked over to inspect it. The plate held a perfectly arranged breakfast: golden toast with jam, eggs cooked to perfection, and fresh fruit. A cup of tea, still warm, rested beside it, faint wisps of steam curling in the air.

Kiru tilted his head, realizing he hadn't heard anyone enter his room. "Sakuya, huh? Guess time-stuff is useful for things like this."

He sat down and took a bite of the toast, savoring the flavor. As he ate, his mind wandered to the woman who had prepared the meal. Sakuya didn't have to do this. She was here to watch over Flandre—her duty to Kiru was nonexistent. And yet... she had gone out of her way to make this for him.

The thought made his chest feel warm in a way that caught him off guard. "She didn't have to..." he muttered softly to himself, looking down at the plate. "Not for me."

He leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling as a small smile tugged at his lips. Sakuya's composed demeanor often made her hard to read, but this simple gesture spoke volumes. It was thoughtful, unspoken kindness.

As he finished the last of his breakfast, unbeknownst to Kiru, Sakuya had been quietly leaning against the door outside as she overheard his murmured gratitude. She smiled to herself, straightened her uniform, and walked down the hall.

"It was... just because he did a good job." Sakuya tells herself. 

(TO BE CONTINUED)